Right to vote under attack

By: Kelly Ceballos05/18/2012

The right to vote is under attack in too many states across the country. We believe every eligible citizen should be able to register to vote and every voter should be able to cast a ballot. The Voter Empowerment Act (VEA), introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday, takes important steps to protect voters. The League’s full statement outlines our support for the goals of the VEA.

"We are facing an assault on voters that is one of the greatest self-inflicted threats to our democracy in our lifetimes. They threaten to silence the voices of those least heard and rarely listened to in this country – the poor, the elderly, racial and ethnic minorities, the young and persons with disabilities,” MacNamara said. “It is important for members of Congress to stand up against assaults on our voting rights,” she added.

The League of Women Voters has fought for voting rights for all citizens for the past 92 years and will continue the fight as long as this most fundamental right is under attack. We are hopeful that the wave of voter suppression laws will be struck down in each and every state and come November every eligible citizen will be able to exercise their right to vote and have their vote counted without additional, unnecessary and costly barriers. We stand ready to continue our efforts to defend voters and their right to vote.